Suggestions on catering...

Yes, $200 is really unreasonable. That's less than $3 per person! That means Taco Bell is catering your reception... haha

Think of it in a per person cost, and you can be more accurate in your estimation. $500 is about $6-7 per person! If you include linens, serving and cleaning up- THAT'S A FREAKING STEAL!

*We all made the same mistake at the beginning! That's why we're here!*

$200 is a pretty low budget to feed that many people. $500 is actually a really good price for all of that, that she includes. For my caterer I paid $2100 for 130 people that was just him cooking the food and setting it up. So I think you may need to adjust your budget just a little bit. JMO

Lol thanks Meghan. I'm totally open to DIY options, just trying to save money where I can. May just have to squeeze more money into that part of our budget.

Think about it this way, do you really want to serve people on your wedding day? And clean up? No not really. The money you spend might be a little more than you budgeted, but it will be worth it in terms of your stress level on the big day.

I don't think this is unreasonable for that many people, it is basically just under $7 a person with full service or just over $4 for the food. The cheapest I found around here when I looked into caterers was $12 a person, and that was just to make the food and serve it, no linens or tables etc.

I would normally suggest enlisting the help of family to make the food yourselves as we are doing, but even making the food yourself is likely to cost you $3-4 a person when you include the cost of even disposable tableware. Sadly, I think this might be the best deal you are going to get. Is there something else you can cut back on?

We looked into catering before we decided to have it at an all inclusive reception hall. I received serveral different quotes for the same and all were at $65-70pp. That means about $6,000. after adding the charges for waitstaff, tax & grat. $ 500 is a STEAL....Just like Meghan said

I'm paying 75 for the cake, which is an awesome cake and a great deal. I've had my dress paid for months, have a great deal on flowers, and everything else is pretty much done. So... that just means I'll have to add more into the catering budget. Really no other way to get around it. Guess I wasn't thinking that clearly on prices haha Thanks girls!

Wow, that is CHEAP! She's cutting you a deal because your a friend of the family. Truthfully, as lovely as DIY receptions can be, most guests want to be partying, not dishing up the potatoes.

Thats dirt cheap... my quote for 100 people.... is 3450....so yeah thats a great price... my price includes all linenes,,,china.. glass goblets.. an catering staff ..I would love $500.00

Yeah we decided to do the full-service catering. Now that I have looked at all of the prices listed on here from everyone's experience, it's very cheap. I appreciate everyone's input.

If you are really worried about paying too much for food, then maybe consider doing just appetizers and call it good?

BUT.....$500 is a GREAT deal (we are paying about 3000).....you cant do just appetizers on 500 if you went with someone else. I say go for it!

However.....are you doing a tasting? I would highliy recommend it. You may pay 500...but if may be crummy food? IHO.

I'm at 3,000 for tables, chairs, linens and food!

$500.00 is a super deal!! Meghan said it best, to price per person to get the most realistic grasp of what it will take. I would suggest, if it's possible, cutting the guest list and having somene serve and attend to you on your special day.

I hate to break the bubble. But will your venue ALLOW you to bring in food from a family member? Is she a licensed caterer? Just a thought.

Of course she is a licensed caterer. She attends the church we are having the wedding at so there is no problem whatsoever.

Brittany- my best friend is a caterer and she won't do a wedding for under $700, for just dropping off the food! you'd better jump on that deal before she changes her mind.

The price that she is quoting sounds really good. But, I would want to know what types of food she will be preparing for that amount.

It sounds too good to be true, in my mind.

I wish I could find catering for $500. That's a really good price. I'm going to be spending around $2,000 for 120 people. Usually, you'd be lucky to get catering for under $1,000. Sounds like a great deal